Background/aims: To date, since so little information has been published on the incidence of choledochoceles, we undertook a retrospective study of the incidence of choledochoceles.
Materials and methods: Out of 9,850 patients who had been submitted to ERCP investigation in our department, the medical histories of the patients found to have choledochoceles were analysed.
Results: Ten out of the 9,850 had a choledochocele, 3 of which were symptomatic, 3 questionably symptomatic and 4 asymptomatic. In 6 patients with symptomatic or questionably symptomatic choledochoceles, endoscopic treatment in the form of endoscopic papillotomy was carried out. Following this intervention, 4 of the patients became symptom-free.
Conclusions: Smaller choledochoceles tend to be asymptomatic while the larger are symptomatic. The diagnostic method of choice in ERCP.